– Ronita Torcato

The Bombay High Court has stayed the controversial clause in the May 6 Maharashtra government resolution (GR) that introduced reservations in the 50 percent non-minority seats in minority institutions.

The reservations were challenged in court by the Maharashtra Association of Minority Educational Institutions (MAMEI) St Xavier’s College, KC, Jai Hind and Maharashtra College among others.

SSC results were out over a month ago and 9,087 students have secured admission out of the 1.1 lakh plus students who applied under these quotas.

College principals said the school education department may have to allow students from socially and economically backward classes to change their preferences on the FYJC admission portal, delaying the admission process further.

A principal said it was possible that all 10 choices of the students are for minority institutions. “Even if they select a couple, their order of preferences will be affected. Now, with the High Court decision, these students will have to be given a fair chance to edit their options and to apply to the same colleges under the open category as well, based on merit. Or perhaps to choose other colleges as well. If they are not permitted to change now, there could be confusion after the allotment,” the principal said.
The allotment list for the first round is slated for release on June 26.

Another principal noted that the government did not issue clear guidelines prior to the commencement of admissions. “The May 6 GR only mentions admissions to vacant minority seats. There is no application of mind behind this GR. If the government was clear about its intention, colleges would have moved court earlier. Now, we just hope the change does not impact the admissions schedule much,” said the principal.

A government official confirmed that no decision has been taken as yet. “We will study the court order and then take appropriate action making changes if required for the benefit of students,” the official said, adding that this is the first time that students have access to thousands of colleges across Maharashtra by just filling a single form costing Rs 100 on the state portal.

Earlier, college aspirants had to submit separate forms to multiple colleges in person.

Also read: Bengal: UG admissions in state-aided colleges set to start on June 18